Millions of Kenyans in 11 counties—including the capital's affluent suburbs and critical industrial hubs—are waking up to the prospect of a powerless Tuesday. Kenya Power (KPLC) has confirmed a sweeping maintenance schedule for today, December 16, 2025, set to plunge homes and businesses into darkness from as early as 9:00 a.m.

While the utility provider cites the necessity of "network maintenance" and infrastructure upgrades to prevent unplanned failures, the timing hits the economy where it hurts. For the corporate executive in Runda, it means the hum of a diesel generator; for the welder in Kitengela or the salonist in Nairobi West, it could mean a day of lost wages in an already tight fiscal environment.

Nairobi: The Capital's Dark Tuesday

The outage map for Nairobi is extensive, cutting across both residential and commercial zones. The disruption is scheduled to run strictly from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., effectively erasing the standard workday for those without backup solutions.

High-end estates and key transport corridors are on the list. In Runda, the blackout will affect Runda Mumwe, Eagle Park, Havanna, Eliud Mathu, and the Northern Bypass sections. Further south, Lang'ata Road residents—specifically around the Jonathan Ngeno estate, Wilson Airport, and Uhuru Gardens—will also face interruptions.

Nairobi West is not spared, with Msufu Road, Sumba Road, and Naimei Road slated for disconnection. The inclusion of Wilson Airport's environs is particularly notable, though critical facilities there typically operate on robust independent power systems.

Satellite Towns & Industrial Belts

The ripple effect extends beyond the city limits into the commuter and industrial belts of Kajiado and Machakos, areas that serve as the engine room for Nairobi's economy.

• Kajiado County (Kitengela): From 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., power will be cut in Kisaju, Jamii Bora, Oltoroto, Korompoi, and the KAG University area. This belt is heavy with cement factories and poultry farms (such as Kenchic), where power stability is non-negotiable.
• Machakos County: The Kyumvi area, including Kapiti Plains, Kiasa, and the Kyumvi Shopping Town Mall, will be off from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Western and Nyanza Regions

The maintenance dragnet also covers significant portions of Western Kenya. In Kisumu County, the Rapogi and Ngere High areas—including Reru and Akado Markets—will be dark from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Similarly, Homa Bay residents in Mbita and Rusinga Island should expect interruptions, potentially affecting the fishing and tourism trade in the region.

Other affected counties include Uasin Gishu (Kipkaren River), Nyamira (Ikonge Market), and Kakamega (Khwisero Market), proving this is a coordinated, nationwide grid exercise rather than a localized fix.

The Cost of 'Routine' Maintenance

While KPLC insists these shutdowns are vital for long-term reliability, the economic toll is immediate. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which contribute approximately 33% to Kenya's GDP, often lack the capital for industrial-grade generators. A single day of downtime can cost a small manufacturing outfit in Kitengela upwards of KES 50,000 in lost productivity.

"We understand the inconvenience," a KPLC representative noted in yesterday's dispatch, emphasizing that the goal is to "reinforce the power grid to ensure reliable supply." However, for the *wananchi* trying to put food on the table, the long-term gain is often hard to see through the immediate darkness.

Residents are advised to charge essential devices immediately and verify their specific status via the *977# USSD service or the Kenya Power website.